JOHANNESBURG, April 2 (Xinhua) -- South Africa deported 46,898 illegal migrants during the 2024/25 financial year, the Department of Home Affairs said on Wednesday.
The figure marks an 18 percent increase compared to the previous financial year, when 39,672 illegal migrants were deported.
"This significant increase in enforcement effectiveness demonstrates our commitment to upholding the rule of law," said Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber.
Schreiber said that the 2024/25 deportation figures are the highest in at least five years. According to data from the department, 22,560 illegal migrants were deported in the 2022/23 financial year, 20,093 in 2021/22, and 14,859 in 2020/21.
"This improved performance, coupled with our digital transformation reforms that will automate entry-and-exit to prevent people from entering the country illegally through our ports of entry, is contributing to enhanced national security and trade facilitation," Schreiber said.
Illegal miners enter South Africa from worldwide in search of better opportunities. Police have been conducting roadblocks to identify undocumented foreigners, with some arrests also taking place during routine stop-and-search operations.
